COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Michelle McIlveen MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Willie Clarke MLA
Tommy Gallagher MLA
Raymond McCartney MLA
George Robinson MLA
Brian Wilson MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Andrew Larmour (Clerical Supervisor)
Alison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Cathal Boylan MLA
Allan Bresland MLA
Danny Kinahan MLA
Ian McCrea MLA
The meeting commenced at10.40am in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Members noted papers which were tabled for consideration later in the meeting.
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting held on 17 February 2010
Agreed : The minutes were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.
3. Matters Arising
- Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 17 February 2010, on the Northern Railways Corridor Development Study and agreed to request further information from Departmental officials during the Department’s forthcoming briefings on the Regional Transportation Strategy and the Regional Development Strategy.
- Agreed: Members noted responses received from Phoenix Natural Gas, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Firmus Energy and Northern Ireland Electricity to the Committee’s consultation on the Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and agreed to consider these responses during the Committee Stage of the Bill. Members also agreed to forward all responses received to the Department for Regional Development for consideration.
- Members noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 16 February 2010, on the Review of Structural Maintenance Funding Requirements for Roads Service.
- Members noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 16 February 2010, on the Belfast Road (A3) Dollingstown (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
- Members noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, dated 11 February 2010, indicating that it wished to make no comment on the issue of community transport provision.
4. Departmental briefing on the Draft Departmental Business Plan 2010-13 and consideration of the Department’s PSA and Business Plan 3rd Quarterly Update
10.46am Mr Robinson joined the meeting.
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials, Pat Delaney and Stewart Matthews , on the draft Departmental Business Plan 2010-13. Members also considered the Department’s PSA and Business Plan 3 rd Quarterly Update .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider a draft response to the Department on the draft Business Plan at its meeting on 3 March 2010.
11.07am Mr Gallagher left the meeting.
5. Briefing from Northern Ireland Water on its performance during severe winter weather
11.13am Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from executives from Northern Ireland Water, Liam Mulholland, Sean McAleese and Pat McParland, on its performance during severe winter weather.
6. Briefing from Northern Ireland Water on septic tanks
11.39am Mr Gallagher left the meeting.
The Committee received a briefing from executives from Northern Ireland Water, Liam Mulholland, Will Gibson and Pat McParland, on the issue of the emptying and treatment of septic tanks .
11.54am Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting
The Committee decided to write to all Members promoting the registration for Northern Ireland Water’s priority services for vulnerable domestic customers.
Members also decided to follow up in writing on issues raised in both briefing sessions with Northern Ireland Water.
7. Subordinate Legislation
Members noted the following Departmental proposals to make subordinate legislation:
- The Road Races (Benbradagh Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland International Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Road Races (Eagles Rock Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010; and
- The Road Races (Mid-Antrim 150) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Members noted that the SL1 memos from the Department on the above proposals made no reference to their having been the subject of a public inquiry. Members noted that the Department has confirmed that the police service and relevant local councils affected by the above proposals have been informed, and the Committee office has not received any comments from the relevant councils regarding these policy proposals.
Members considered the following Departmental proposals to make subordinate legislation, which were noted at the Committee meeting on 17 February 2010:
- The Waiting Restrictions (Dungannon) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010; and
- The Waiting Restrictions (Lurgan) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee would write to the Department, indicating that it is content with the policy merits of these remaining SL1s.
Members noted receipt of 2010/25 The Airports (Sale of Aircraft) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. Members noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules will forward his report on this rule before the end of the statutory period, which is 16 March 2010.
8. Correspondence
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from t he Committee for the Environment on the issue of roads safety in rural areas, and agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department for Regional Development for consideration.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from t he Committee for Employment and Learning on the use of automated communications systems by government departments with members of the public, and agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department for Regional Development for consideration.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from FonaCAB and Value Cabs on the use of bus lanes by taxis, and agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department for Regional Development for consideration.
Members noted an invitation from Energy Ireland to the 14th Annual Energy Ireland Conference on 2nd and 3rd June 2010 at Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin.
Members noted Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s (NISRA’s) update to the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures blueprint document.
Members noted a press release from the Department of Finance and Personnel – “ Wilson meets utility regulator to discuss water determination”.
Members also noted a press release from Translink – “Newry passengers set to enjoy £850,000 investment in new Ulsterbus vehicles ”.
9. Any Other Business
Agreed: Members considered a revised forward work programme for the Committee and agreed that the revised work programme should be published on the Assembly website.
10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 at 10.30 am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.05pm.